Cold season is beginning! Check out tips and resources below, as well as a list of warming centers near the 40th Ward, if you need a safe place to stay warm.
Extreme Cold Safety Tips
- Avoid unnecessary trips outside. If you must go out, limit the time you stay outside.
- Wear several layers of loose, warm cloth.
- Keep your head, hands, and feet covered when outdoor.
- Stay dry––moisture can damage the insulation effectiveness of clothing.
- Pay extra attention to your daily needs: if you are able, get enough sleep, eat high energy foods, drink warm beverages to help your body stay warm, and avoid alcoholic beverages.
- If you have a car, winterize vehicles and have necessary supplies on-the-go.
For more on how to stay warm this winter, check out the Uptown Winter Safety Guide from Liberate Ward 46.
Warming Centers in or near the 40th Ward
The City makes some public buildings available to people to warm up during regular business hours. These includes participating Chicago Public Library branches, Chicago Park District locations, Chicago Police Departments, and Senior Service Centers. If you do not have access to heat, you can visit any of the nearby warming centers during their open hours.
For a full list of warming center locations, please visit see the map of Chicago Warming Centers.
- DFSS North Area Community Service Center: 845 W Wilson Avenue
- Monday–Friday: 8:30am–5:00pm
- First and third Saturday of each month: 8:30am–12:00 pm
- Budlong Woods Library: 5630 N Lincoln Ave
- Mondays and Wednesdays: 12-8pm
- Tuesdays and Thursdays: 10am-6pm
- Fridays and Saturdays: 9am-5pm
- Sundays: 1-5pm
- Edgewater Library: 6000 N. Broadway
- Mondays and Wednesdays: 10am-6pm
- Tuesdays and Thursdays: 12-8pm
- Fridays and Saturdays: 9am-5pm
- Sundays: 1-5pm
- Northtown Chicago Public Library: 6800 N. Western Avenue
- Mondays and Wednesdays: 10am-6pm
- Tuesdays and Thursdays: 12-8pm
- Fridays and Saturdays: 9am-5pm
- Sundays: 1-5pm
- Green Briar Park Fieldhouse: 2650 W Peterson Ave
- Monday–Friday: 9am-8pm
- Saturday: 9am-5pm
- Warren Park Fieldhouse: 6601 N. Western Avenue
- Monday-Friday: 9am–9pm
- Saturday and Sunday: 9am-3pm
- Welles Park Fieldhouse: 2333 W Sunnyside Ave
- Monday–Friday: 7:30-9:00pm
- Saturday 9am-5pm
- Sunday: 10am-3pm
- Northeast Levy Senior Center: 2019 W. Lawrence Avenue
- Monday-Friday: 8:30am- 4:30pm
- Open to seniors during normal weather, open to all during extreme weather
- 20th District Police Station: 5400 N Lincoln Ave
- Open 24/7 during extreme cold
Shelter and Mutual Aid Services
If you or someone you now is currently unhoused and need overnight shelter, you can call 311 or the resources below:
- The Shelter Placement and Resource Center (SPARC): 2241 S. Halsted Street
- Provides shelter placement for single individuals
- Not a warming center or shelter—call ahead to ensure availability: 773-526-3707
- The Salvation Army Emergency Assessment and Resource Center (EHARC) – 924 N. Christiana
- Provides shelter placement and overflow beds for families with children under 18 years of age.
- Not a warming center or shelter—call ahead to ensure availability: 872-281-7610
The Night Ministry also provides street medicine and other assistance for unhoused folks—get in touch with them if you need help!
For food assistance, visit Community Kitchen Chicago for a map of food resources, or check out a list of food pantries and meal assistance in or near the 40th Ward.
Emergency Heating Repair Program
The Chicago Department of Housing’s (DOH) 2025-2026 Emergency Heating Repair Program (EHRP) offers income-eligible Chicagoland owner-occupied properties with direct assistance to repair their furnace or boiler heating system. Qualified contractors perform the work at no cost to the homeowner with funding provided by the Department of Housing (DOH). The assistance is limited and available on a first-come, first served basis. Interested homeowners can learn more at the City of Chicago’s website.
Support Mutual Aid Efforts
Winter is can be an extremely difficult time for those struggling to make ends meet, especially if they are unhoused or housing insecure. If you want to help, here are some ways to get involved:
- Volunteer at a food pantry! Here are some in and around the 40th Ward:
- Help provide street medicine and assistance to the unhoused by volunteering with the Night Ministry.
- Sign the Chicago Coalition to end Homelessness petition to push for more extreme weather resources